Mat



NOV. 21, 1944. G. D, MURRAY ET AL 2,363,139

MAT

Filed Sept. 50, 1942 Ji?! A f 136 i? 1# mm1: #mm3 37.3 /4 ,3 ."5 /2 J7. if

Cittorneg defense purposes.` n

loads. n il t t Another object is to provide a grating type of Patented Nov."2l, `1944 UNITED STATE S PATENTOFFAICE MAT y Glenn Dale Murray and Grald Dexter, Mich."

N: Allen,

Application September 3Q, 1942, SerialNo. 460,262

` 1 claim.` (orzoism Y `This invention relates generally to mats and constitutes a continuation in part of our application flledMarch` 30, 1942, bearing Serial No.`

436,902. i n i `Oneiof the essential objectstofwthe invention is to provide a safety mat `that has preferably been developed from materials other than those considered vital and necessary at this time for Another object is to provide a non-slip `mat that is preferably constructed entirely `of wood orequivalent non-metallic material having. sufficient softness to `eliminate `or substantially reduce fatigue of persons using itas a tread structure. n y i y n `Another object is to provide a solvent resisting mat capable of being cleaned with: chlorine "solu- 'tions for sanitationpurposes. y l i i i Another object is to provide a sectional mat` capable of being folded or rolled into a compact package for any purpose such as shipment, storage, `orwhen it is desired to clean thefloor `upon Whichthe mat is placed. y i c i i y y Another Objectis to provide a strong and dura.. ble mat that is simple in construction, inexpensive t manufacture, eiiicientin use and easy to repair.` n y Another object is to provide a sectional mat that. isso constructed that it may conform to irregular or wavy floor surfaces. y

Y i Another object is to DIDVide a" mat of the typev i described wherein the tread sections thereof have suitable `dimensionstoprovide adequate foot supportare low enoughl to-minimize the hazard of accidental falls, and are high enough to discourage standing with one-foot off and one on the mat. i i i y Another object is to provide a fibrous mat that is so constructed thatit has a certain degree of resiliency to cushion the feet of persons thereon but is solid enough to withstand relatively heavy i Figure 2 is a side elevational View thereof; i i

Figure 3 is` an end view thereof;

y `Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan View `of `a slight modification;

Figure 5 is a vertical 4sectionalview through a i `portion ofthe structure illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sideelevational View i of another modification; i

Figure` 7 isa fragmentary end view of another modification. y y' U i A Referring now to the drawing, A are the tread i sections, B are the pivot elements therefor, and

C are thespacers of `a mat embodying `curinvention-i4 y y `/yf 1 As shown, the tread `sections are .in the form of `ololongblocks and arepreferably formed of fibrous material such as` softtextured wood. However it is obvious that the tread sections may be formed of any suitablematerial. Any number `of the blocks A may be used depending upon the size and shape ofthe mat desired, however i in the present linstancethe `mat issubstantially rectangular inshape and theblocks A extend@ longitudinally thereof Pin substantiallyparallel rows. Preferably thewblocks A` in each row are `spaced longitudinally apart `so that (1)7 the blocks in adjacent ,rows overlapeachfother at opposite ends thereof,` and (2) the blocks in alternate rows `the mat to provide transversely `exi-,ending pas sages for theliquids, V i n 40 n g The pivot elements B for the form of straight rods and extend transversely ofthe mat from one side to the` other thereof.

` Such` rodshave a uniform cylindrical cross secmat wherein all tread sections except those at opposite longitudinal side edges thereof `are freely mounted upon the pivot elements therefor` Thus, the sections of the mat may be assembled with a minimum `of `fastening lements.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more i apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a mat embodying our invention;

tion throughout their lengthand engage longitudinally spaced transversely extendingholes Hin y the blocks'. Preferably thesepivotelenents Bare also made of wood.` However, it is {obvious that they `maybe made of any suitablematerial. As shown, each block'is engaged by two of thepivot `eleinentsB. Hence,`all blocks A' are uniformlyV engaged by the pivot elements Brand special end formations for such elements are unnecessary and have been dispensed with entirely.

The spacers C are sleeved on the pivot elements B at opposite end of the mat and are lothe blocks A are preaches to the mat.

cated between alternate rows of the blocks A. Such spacers C may be any configuration such as square, round,v etc., but are substantially equal in width to the width of the individual blocks.

If desired, the outermost and central longitudinal rows I2, lI3 and I4, respectively, ofv blocks may have agreater depth than the other rows intermediate the same, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Thusthe intermediate rowsare in. effect suspended above the oorbythe pivot ele. ments B passing through the blocks thereof. As stated above the entire mat, including the pivot:

mat with a yielding, structure that cushionsy the. strain of standing thereon, and thereby reduces:

fatigue. v f

Inasmuch as the intermediate rows-of` blocks In use, the all wood grating type of mat structure embodying our invention may be laid as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, respectively, upon any floor, such as a concrete, cement or other hard floor of a factory or other commercial building, or may be mounted on top of box cars or other rolling stock, as a walkway for trainmen, 01 may be laid upon decks or platforms of ships, or directly upon the, ground.. in military or construction camps, etc.,.as,d`esired.. In fact, it is adapted for use Aas a` tread structure in any v suitable location. When not in use, the mat may elementsB thereof, is made of wood, hence the suspended rows of blocks provide the user of the-'l face beneath theernat, Due to its construction,

just mentioned are elevated relative totlfieffloor` there are two relatively wide longitudinallylextendingy channels |5`-a`nd i6, 1 respectively, provid ed beneath said`l blocks for drainage purposes. Hence, the transversely" extending drainage channels I0 in the blocks A yoffthe outermost andcentrallrowsfy I 2; I 3v and I4; respectively,- only `will normally*` be` effective, Howeven notwith the pvotfelementseBf. Preferably"v the pivot elements are `made offhickory wood and are -se-` cured to theoutermostblocks-'by means ofv verticalf'pegs or pins 2`2- that also are preferably made'ioflvvood.4V Obviously these pegs or pins vmay herformedof any suitable material.- As shown', these pegs `221 extend completely through the blocks A Yfrom top to bottom thereofk and pass substantially dialnetrically-tln'ough' the 'pivot elements Bi so as to provideefcient connections between `the parts and f thereby eliminate as far asjpossibleany shear of vthe pegs atv-their juncture withrtherpivotelements B. Thus, inthis construction, all other Ablocks A intermediate the 'outer rows V2,0;a'ndg21l,respectively, may be'looselyA slet-:svcd onthepivotelements B and will be v held'against displacement by the pegged outer rows of blocksif Moreover, round spacers, 23 which` require. no securing means are preferably used in this construction; Consequentlyv the overaall number of fastening elements has'beenv reduced to aminimum. y I,

v In Figures 6 and 7 we have illustratedtwo other modifications wherein substantially wedgeshaped extensions of certain of the blocks Vare provided forsafety purposes to improve'the ap,- In Figure 6.the` blocks A2l at either end of the mat may beprovided with substantially wedge-shaped endwise extensions.

Sproviding sloping approaches 3| to, the top l' surface of the mat from the iloor or'other supporting surface for the mat, whilein Figure 7 providing sloping approaches 4l tothe top surface of the mat.` y

be folded or rolled as desired into a relatively compact unit. Thus, the mat may be easily and conveniently` shipped from one place to another, or stored or moved out of the way when it is desired to clean the floor or other supporting surthe matv may conform to an irregular floor or other supporting surface and will always permit the proper drainagexof oils, water-` or.l other liquids onthe'oorbeneathlthe mat; a

The soft;A textured wood blocks. and; hickory wood pivot elements and `pegs providean, all wood: combination that: possesses numerous; advantages. For example, the all wood construe,- tion of'the mat;(1*)1tendsltolreduceifatigue off the userethereof," (2) permitsrthe4 mat toY abs'orbfandibe impregnated with oils,greases, etc;,;wh;ichf. tend to enhance-fthe wearing qualitiesrtlflereoi,v (3);, is solvent'v resisting; (4f) canA be cleaned by.l chlorine solutions forfsanitationa purposes;` (5'9 is:r-ustpro,of

andi (6) f will' n'otfdetericratev when washedbyfordilnarycleaning solutionsl It'rshouldalso:be:appree ciated that the mat embodying our invention tion can be ma-de whollyorpartiallylorfsalvaged' woods" or'fequivalent materials: Moreover;- it-iy isv apparent that glue, cement, or all suitable: adhesive may `bezusedfinstead of the1pegs-.22iftoxsecure the blocks fin thezouter'most rows; of the=structure to their pivot elementssuch# asv BnonB. Thus, it will beyapparent" thatl an' alliwood `mat embodying our invention is:` al definite improve'- ment upon-y all-metal;- yall-rubber;l or 'composite spacedtransverselyfextendingfholes'in thejblocks,

the `-outermostandl centralelongitudinally--extencl ingr rows fol? blocks having a greater depthrtl'ian theA other longitudinally-"extendingrows-interino; diate the same, whereby said outermost and'fcen'- tral: rowsl constitutef floorIl or -groundfVL engaging elements,4 'and-I the other in'termedi'ate#rowsh are suspendedl above-such floor-Kor--ground^`A fromwhe vpivotelementstherefor: l

' GLENN nALnfNro-Rente eERAnnmALnENr l 

